Deadline

by Judy McDonough

"You did what? Caroline! Have you lost your mind?" Kristy took the news just as Caroline expected. "You know, I've heard of people doing crazy things in desperation, but this is low. Even for Trevor."

  A twinge of anger stung Caroline. "What is that supposed to mean? Trevor only suggested this. I'm the one who agreed to it. This way I can get the whole wedding thing out of the way so I don't have to worry about it during the semester."

  Kristy's tone changed. "Uh-huh. The whole wedding thing, huh? Who are you? Where is my friend who used to dream up lavish wedding details with me? You remember her? The girl I used to look through bridal magazines with and dog ear pages of dresses we liked, the spontaneous girl who despises being pinned down with any sort of deadline. I want that girl back."

  Turning her back to Caroline, Kristy peered through the window and quietly asked, "What about Cade?"

  "What about him? He's just a friend."

  Kristy whirled around. "Oh, whatever! I've known you for a long time. I've seen you around different guys before. When you're with Cade, you are the Caroline I know. When you're with Trevor, you're. . .different. You're quieter, not your bubbly, quirky, sarcastic self. It's like you're afraid to say something that Trevor may not like. You seem happier and comfortable around Cade. You can be yourself around him instead of having to put on some kind of act. It's obvious you and Cade have serious chemistry. Are you going to just turn your back on that and pretend it never existed?"

  "I've only known Cade for six weeks, Kristy. That's hardly long enough to learn anything. How could I possibly be in love with someone I barely know? We're just good friends, that's all. I love Trevor and we will be very happy together. It's his ring I have on my finger and him I'm going to marry. Everything will be perfectly fine."

  "Who are you trying to convince, Caroline?" Kristy scoffed and stared out the window again. "Me or yourself?"

  "How about my dress?" Caroline suggested hopefully.

  Kristy whirled around with her arms crossed. "Are you serious? You still want me to make your dress. . .in six weeks?" Her body language rejected the whole prospect.

  "Well, if it'll be too much trouble, I'm sure I could buy one off the rack. I don't want to be a pain." Caroline hoped her reverse psychology would work, but Kristy's stoic expression and angry stance made Caroline nervous.

  Finally she grinned and shook her head. "You're always a pain. But I love you, anyway. Of course I will make your dress for you. It won't be easy, but I will somehow manage to make you a fabulous gown. I just think you're making a mistake by rushing into this."

  Caroline hugged her and squealed. "Thank you so much! I love you, too. You will be my maid of honor, right?"

  "I'd better be! Who else can put up with your kind of crazy?" She hugged Caroline and backed up to look at her. "You're my best friend and I am here for you. . .for whatever you need. That includes smacking some sense into you."

  "Good. I hoped you would say that." Caroline hesitated before asking another favor. "Since my accident, I don't think I can handle being in a car for that long, so I'm flying back with Trevor tomorrow. However, I still need to get my car back up to Illinois. Is there any way I can get you to drive it up there for me?"

  Kristy forged a smile, clearly not excited about driving either. "Sure, C. I will get your car back to Chicago. Where are you staying when you go back? Not with Trevor, I hope?"

  Caroline hadn't thought about that. She'd given up her apartment assuming she'd be here all summer. "I don't know. I didn't think about that part."

  Kristy rolled her eyes and sighed. "It seems you didn't think about much at all before agreeing to this craziness. Here, take my key, you can stay at my place until you get hitched. Or maybe until you come to your senses. I'll be up in a few days to start on your dress."

  "Thanks, girl. I don't know what I would do without you." Caroline hugged her again. "Now I guess I need to go break the news to everyone else."

  Delia and Delphine were the only ones home and when Caroline walked in, Delia's eyes shifted behind her to see if anyone followed. "Is your fiancé with you?"

  "No, he's getting my car checked out and an oil change. Why?"

  "Honey, he is definitely a looker! He's beautiful! Sorry if I almost blew the whistle on you earlier, boo. I didn't know he wasn't in the loop."

  "He's in the loop now, I just didn't fill him in on all the graphic details."

  She raised her eyebrows. "Uh-huh. You can get away with that now, but once he's got his meat hooks in you, there will be no more hidin' from him. Men like him don't allow secrets."

  "What do you mean, men like him? What kind of man is that, exactly?"

  Delia sensed her defensive tone and back pedaled. "Oh, nothing, Miss Caroline. He just seems like the type that likes to know what's going on around him, that's all."

  "What is it that everyone else sees in Trevor that I don't see?"

  "Aww, Miss Caroline. Don't worry about everyone else." Delia patted Caroline's hand. "Maybe what you should be asking yourself is, what it is that you see in him that no one else can see. That's what matters."

  Caroline relaxed. That made her feel a little better. "Thanks, D. I appreciate it."

  She set a glass of tea in front of Caroline. "Anytime, boo. Anytime."

  Caroline stared at the ice and she wiped the dripping condensation from the glass, stalling. "I came down here to tell y'all something."

  Both women looked at her with concern. "I'm heading back to Chicago tomorrow with Trevor. We're getting married at the end of August."

  Delphine's mouth dropped open. Delia nudged her, and she closed it. Delia spoke up first. "Congratulations. That's great news. We'll miss you, but we're glad to have gotten to know you this summer." Her expression turned serious. "Have you, uh. . .have you told Beau yet?"

  "No. Not yet. Not something I'm looking forward to. He's not going to be happy about it, I'm sure."

  "Oh, he's a big boy. I'm sure he'll be okay. Just make sure you tell him goodbye before you go. I imagine if you didn't, he would be upset about that." Delia went back to cleaning.

  "Right, I'm headed over there now."

  Caroline had never dreaded anything so much in her life.

  Please, God, give me some strength.

  Thirty-Six